Overview of PJC in North Carolina Speeding Cases
Today’s Durham Speeding Ticket and Greensboro Speeding Ticket blog post discusses how to ask for a Prayer for Judgment Continued on a North Carolina Speeding Ticket.
We are often asked how do you request a Prayer for Judgment Continued on a North Carolina Speeding Ticket.
First, let me tell you that requesting a Prayer for Judgment Continued should be one of the last options you use on your speeding ticket. For insurance points purposes you and the members of your household are only allowed to use 1 Prayer for Judgment Continued every 3 years.
As a result, if there is any other outcome of your case, such as a reduction to an improper equipment or to speeding < 10mph over the speed limit, then you should strongly consider taking the alternate outcome and preserving your Prayer for Judgment Continued for a future case.
When You Should (and Should Not) Use a PJC
On to using your Prayer for Judgment Continued.
The short explanation is that to request a Prayer for Judgment Continued you need to first plead guilty/responsible and then immediately/at the same time make a request to the Judge that your Judgment be Continued.
The District Attorney does not have the authority to grant you a Prayer for Judgment Continued. You are praying to the Judge that he or she Continue your Judgment.
Anytime you have a speeding ticket pending in a North Carolina court, we recommend that you obtain a certified copy of your North Carolina driving record. Bring your certified copy of your North Carolina driving record with you to court, along with a copy of your citation.
How to Request a PJC in Court
When it is your turn to speak to the District Attorney, show the District Attorney your certified driving record and citation (the District Attorney will have his or her own copy of your citation) and ask what is the best reduction in your case.
- If you are not happy with the outcome, ask the District Attorney if he or she will oppose your request for a Prayer for Judgment Continued.
- If the District Attorney says that he or she will not oppose your request for a PJC, then ask the District Attorney to call your case for a plea.
- When the District Attorney calls your case and asks you how you plead, simply say something like: Your Honor, I plead guilty.
I request Judgment be Continued. The District Attorney is not opposing my request. Also, I have my certified driving record here for your review.
What to Do If the Judge Denies Your Request
If for some reason the Judge denies your request, immediately ask the Judge if you can withdraw your guilty plea and consult with an attorney.
If your request for a Prayer for Judgment Continued is denied, that means that you just pleaded guilty to the original speeding charge which is a terrible result as most speeding charges are reduced prior to a guilty plea.
Also, if the District Attorney indicates that he or she is going to oppose your request for a Prayer for Judgment Continued, then just ask for your case to be continued so that you can consult with an attorney.
Need Legal Help With a North Carolina Speeding Ticket?
For assistance with a speeding ticket in Durham, Greensboro, or Guilford County, you can contact a traffic ticket attorney by email at info@kregerbrodish.com, by phone at (888) 802-2605, or through the contact form on this page.
